Gonzalez Helps Nationals Rout Marlins 9-0

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond each hit a three-run homer, leading Gio Gonzalez and the Washington Nationals to a 9-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.

Werth connected in the sixth and Desmond went deep an inning later, breaking open a close game and powering Washington to its eighth victory in nine games. The Nationals pulled within 6½ games of idle Cincinnati for the second NL wild-card slot.

Gonzalez (8-6) pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in his first victory in six weeks. The left-hander, who was 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA in his previous seven starts, struck out eight and retired his last 11 batters.